Book Review: Broken Harbor by Tana French

Title: Broken Harbor

Author: Tana French

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: July 2012

Genre: Adult Mystery

Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book Four


Synopsis can be found here.

Review:

Mick "Scorcher" Kennedy is a Dublin murder detective who just landed the biggest case of the year. A beautiful and perfect family, the Spains, have been brutally murdered in their luxury development complex. Jenny Spain, the mother, is in critical condition in the hospital. And Scorcher and his new partner, Richie Curran are there to investigate.

Every book by Tana French has me conflicted. I want to read so fast, so fast, to find out what happened, who did it. But I wind up reading them all so slowly, taking my time with every word to make sure I don't miss anything.
Because that is what happens in French's books. Reading too fast, and you will miss something.

And that is why I loved Broken Harbor.
Mick's voice is new, brash and hard. I loved his narration, his second guessing, his hard stances. Mick's tone was a constant reminder through the book that this is the guy you want on your side. If the worst was to happen, you wanted him asking why. I loved it in contrast to Richie's voice- new, naive and softer around the edges.

The plot takes you round and round to the usual suspects, thinking you know which way its going to go. The housing development is deteriorating. There were break ins before the murder. They had cut off all contact with most of their friends. The Spain's had a perfect life. Why did this happen to them?

Back and forth, by the time it all sorts itself out, I didn't know if I could call the ending satisfying. It was a kick in the face, it was.

Add Mick's family troubles to that and you've got a whole other layer of crazy. Broken Harbor holds memories for him too.
And maybe, even though he won't admit it, he is not the best man for this case.

Pick up Broken Harbor or any of Tana French's books. 

You don't have to read any of the other books in the series to enjoy Broken Harbor, though I recommend you do.
You won't be sorry.

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.